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BOOK REVIEW: American Horrors – The Dead Children’s Playground by James Kaine

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Genre: Supernatural Horror
Release Date: August 20, 2024
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A cemetery filled with innocents. A ghostly chill in the air. Will a short walk through the woods awaken a dark power?

Kylie Macklin is eager to live a normal life. Freshly moved from Florida to Alabama and finally in remission from cancer, the optimistic nine-year-old is used to dodging her overprotective mom’s warnings. So when a new playmate invites her to hang out, the happy girl thinks nothing of the playground being located in a graveyard for young victims of the Spanish Flu… and a local serial killer.

Kayla Macklin hates starting over. Forced to relocate after her little sister’s recovery, the sullen nineteen-year-old despises her new home more when she sees a terrifying vision in the nearby crypt. And as kids around town start to fall gravely ill, she begins to suspect there is something sinister at play.

Tormented by a frightening specter’s ever-closer appearances, Kylie turns to her older sibling for help. But as Kayla digs into the history of the haunted ground, the twisted truths she discovers hint at a bloodthirst that can never be sated.

Can they face down the malevolent force without tripping into their own graves?

The Dead Children’s Playground is the bone-chilling first book in the American Horrors series. If you like dark twists, scary puzzles, and poignant moments, then you’ll love James Kaine’s supernatural spine-tingler.

Buy The Dead Children’s Playground to start a fatal game today!

MY REVIEW – 3 1/2 stars

It took me several chapters to get into this story. Even then, the pacing felt slow until the book was nearly over. I didn’t get a creepy/horror vibe from this one. I think, for me, the tension was lacking. However, the epilogue was incredibly sad and emotional.

I felt the characters were well developed, and I wanted to smack their mom for most of the book. I enjoyed the relationship between Kayla and Desiree. The scenes between the two of them felt more three dimensional than the interactions between the others.

If you like a slower paced story that’s on the lighter side of horror, this story had some interesting plot points. It was a good story, but it just fell a bit flat for me.

And seriously, how gorgeous is this cover? The cover alone made me want a copy of this book.

*Disclaimer: I’m voluntarily leaving a review. The review above is only my opinion. I received an ARC from Book Sirens.

BOOK REVIEW: Circle of Freaks by Delilah Croww

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About the Book

Since I was a little girl, I fell in love with the circus. It’s all I ever wanted to see up close or be a part of. There was no room for things like that where I grew up. There was no room for anything except bad memories and bad expectations.

Every year around Devil’s Night, since we moved to Stockbridge, the Circle of Freaks paranormal circus comes to town. It’s an eighteen-and-over horror show in which no one talks about what goes on inside because they can’t.

But this year is different. This year, my prayers have been answered by gifting me a ticket. Despite what people think of me at school. Despite the girls gone missing––– Found dead. I wasn’t prepared for what I would see.

I wasn’t prepared for…him.

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MY REVIEW – 4 stars

It’s unique, dark, and sexy. Each character is complex and well written. The story itself will keep you glued to the pages, waiting to see what happens next.

If psycho men who would literally kill for you aren’t your thing, run away. For the rest of you… be prepared to fall in love with Draco Hades and the rest of the Freaks. I was sad to see the story come to an end, and I can’t wait for the next book. I’ll be impatiently waiting to dive back in to this world.

I really enjoyed this story, but even after reading the entire thing, I’m still a bit confused. I can’t go into detail without giving the story away. But my confusion is why it’s 4 stars and not 5. I think the twist could have been shown in a clearer way. Regardless, it didn’t stop me from enjoying this dark world and wanting more.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. The review above is only my opinion.

BOOK REVIEW: The Shadow of the Langham Hotel by Jonathan L. Ferrara

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About the Book:

The third installment of Jonathan L. Ferrara’s young adult paranormal anthology series is here!This past year, Collin Winters has tried to put the events of Chateau Du Coeur behind him. He’s struggling to move on with his life. It’s a new year, in a new school, in a new city, and with a new heart beating in his chest.

Shortly after his first term at the Art Institution in London, Collin is selected by the headmaster to partake in a class field-trip to New York City where he, and four other students, will check-in to an old hotel. Amongst those students is Collin’s roommate—Aaron, who is trying to put his own past behind him. The two boys don’t always get along. One moment they’re the best of friends, the next they’re rolling around the hotel’s lobby throwing punches and nearly getting themselves expelled. The boys’ friendship only strengthens as they attempt to unearth the hotel’s dark secret. It turns out, the building isn’t quite what it seems to be. There’s something lurking in the hotel’s shadows…something watching the classmates from afar. While Collin and his friends attempt to solve the mystery of the Langham Hotel, Collin starts to remember that he might have stayed in the building once before. The past is about to catch up to Collin Winters and will surely put his sanity to the test.

Release Date: April 23, 2024

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My Review – 5 stars!

Be prepared for a twisted ride through Wonderland…

I’m not sure what I expected when I accepted an ARC of this book. I got something entirely different but in a good way.

I will say the beginning was a bit slow for me. It wasn’t until I was five or six chapters in that I was truly hooked. This one may be a ghost story, but it’s not scary. It’s a story of overcoming your obstacles or darker parts of your life and finding not only acceptance of yourself but also allowing yourself to be happy.

First, I didn’t read the previous book in the series. There was enough information in this story that I didn’t feel lost. So don’t hesitate to jump right in!

And second… you’re going to love this book!

The characters were well developed and intriguing, although Charlotte had a tendency to annoy me. The glimpses we see of Ruby during Collin’s childhood honestly made her my favorite character. There was more to her than most people saw.

It’s full of romance, intrigue, and lots of riddles! Honestly, I’d consider this more of a ghost mystery.

This story will keep you guessing and there’s one heck of a plot twist! More than one actually…

But reader beware … closer to the end, be prepared to cry! Not because of a horrible ending by any means. The opposite in fact.

This book will put you through an emotional roller coaster. But it’s one heck of a ride!

* Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. The review above is only my opinion.

BOOK REVIEW Carousel by Sarah McKnight

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Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin…

All Laura Fitzpatrick wanted to do was tell her lab partner, Maddie, how she really feels about her, but when a perfect opportunity falls into her lap, Laura does what she does best – chickens out.  

Then, Laura is dared to check out the abandoned carnival grounds outside of town, and she seizes the opportunity to prove to herself and others that she can be brave after all. To her surprise, Maddie isn’t about to let her go alone.

As they explore the eerie property, they’re thrust into an endless night of terror, where danger lurks around every corner. With a century-old mystery waiting to be uncovered, Laura must learn what true bravery means if she hopes to get herself – and Maddie – out of the Plum Creek Carnival alive.

Whatever you do, don’t let the Carnival Man see you…

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MY REVIEW – 5 stars!

Absolutely loved it!!

What started as a date turned into a nightmare for Laura and Maddie. I loved see Laura find her strength and realize she was braver than she’d thought. Her courage was inspirational.

I dislike spoilers so I won’t go into detail. However… Carousel kept me spellbound from start to finish. I can’t exactly call the storytelling of a gruesome horror beautifully written but… it was. The imagery of each brutal killing and the emotions of the characters brought this story to life.

Truly exceptional! This is a must-read for horror fans,

**DISLCAIMER: I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC. The review above is only my opinion.**